The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is now considering a proposal to expand the Sandhill Crane hunting season. The KDFWR Wildlife Committee has forwarded the suggested changes to the full Commission which will consider them during its meeting March 23, 2018.

If you would like to share your opinion on the proposed changes to the Kentucky Sandhill season, now is the time to do so. Call or write your Commissioner prior to the meeting (see listing below for your area district Commissioner information). While speaking directly to your district Commissioner might be more impactful than letters, feel free to call and write. Please be courteous.

To read more about the proposed changes in the February 19, 2018 Courier-Journal article by James Bruggers, go here:

After 7 years of following guidelines set in the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) experimental season, the wildlife division plans to recommend to the full Commission six changes to the season. These proposed changes were considered by the Wildlife Committee on February 9 and will be presented to the full Commission for a vote on March 23, 2018.

“While these changes represent some liberalization, they still follow the guidelines set in a very conservative EP crane management plan. As before, we expect no impact of these changes on the population or on viewing opportunity in Kentucky,” said John H Brunjes, Migratory Bird Program Coordinator for KDFWR .

A KDFWR summary of the proposed changes is below:

1) Move the application period to September.

Current application period is November 15-30. This creates a real challenge for us to get drawing done and get everyone tags mailed before hunting starts two weeks later. It forces us to mail tags before people have completed online test and have actual permit. We would like to have application period September 1-30 with a drawing in early October. People would then have to complete the online test before tags are mailed to them.

2) Create a no crane hunting zone in Green River Lake.

Last winter and again this winter, several hundred SACR showed up and roosted on Green River Lake. They were there for about a week before they left. We suspect they were shot on the lake and abandoned the roost. In a method similar to the Barren River Protected area, we would create a refuge area for cranes by closing crane hunting portions of Green River Lake. Having another roost area would provide additional viewing and hunting opportunity. We suspect this will become a regular revision to this regulation as the population continues to grow. There were brief stops by cranes at Lake Cumberland and Taylorsville Lake and if those continue we would protect those areas as well.

3) Remove the 400 crane closure.

The 400 bird closure was a conservative measure added to our experimental season plan as a fail-safe in case our predictions about harvest and how hunting would go were wrong. After 7 seasons without exceeding a 200 crane harvest; having to check each day to see if the season is closed is unnecessary burden on our hunters. Additionally, because we have gone so long without reaching the 400 bird mark, we fear hunters are not checking to see if the season is closed. If we ever did reach 400 birds and close the season, we fear hunters could continue hunting and be cited. The Eastern population of sandhill cranes is now well over 100k birds. The removal of the 400-bird closure would not have any meaningful impact on the population.

4) Change number of tags available to Kentucky hunters.

The EP Sandhill Crane plan endorsed by the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways and USFWS allows states to issue tags based on a 5-year average of crane numbers in that state. A state may issue up to 10% of that 5-year average. Currently Kentucky is issuing 800 tags of the allowable 1,453 tags based on our 5-year average of 14,526 cranes. We propose changing from a fixed 800 to issuing the 1,453 allowed by the management plan.

5) Change number of applicants receiving permits

Currently we issue a fixed number of permits (400). Before last season, we had not had more than 400 applicants so it had not really been a concern. For the 2016-2017 season, there were 415 applicants so 15 people did not get a permit. For the 2017-2018 season, there were 565 applicants so 30% of those that applied will not get a permit. We propose a new system where everyone that applies gets randomly selected in a drawn order. Each person gets a permit with one tag up to the allowable number of tags to be issued for that season. That way everyone would at least 1 tag. Any tags that were not used in the initial allocation of 1 tags per hunter would be allocated out to drawn hunters in order of draw. Using this season as an example, all 565 applicants would be issued permits and all would receive a second tag for a total of 1130 of the 1453 allowable tags. The first 323 people drawn would receive a third tag so that we issue all 1453 tags.

6) Make the season concurrent with the second segment of duck season(The 56 days prior to the last Sunday in January)

Under the Eastern Population Crane management plan, Kentucky may have a 60 day season between September 1 and January 31. Split seasons are not allowed. We propose making the SACR season concurrent with the second waterfowl season (a 56-day season) in Kentucky. This simplifies regulations for migratory bird hunters and provides additional opportunity for our hunters. The biggest hurdle faced by hunters is the access to private land. A longer season increases the likelihood someone could gain access to hunting areas.

According to USFWS, the eastern population of Sandhills continues to expand. When KDFWR began consideration of a hunting season, the 3-year average was 46,000 cranes counted in the fall survey. Today, that average count exceeds 90,000 cranes. Because it is a one day count, and not an estimate, the department biologists say it represents a conservative minimum population size. Telemetry data tells biologists that at least 20% of the population is being missed in the surveys. Reproduction surveys consistently show that >10% of the cranes passing thru Kentucky are young of the year. These results are mirrored by work of the USFWS at Jasper-Pulaski. According to USFWS, a dramatic expansion of breeding ranges has been seen and now in many areas Eastern Population Sandhill cranes nest side by side with mid-continent cranes.

Yesterday the Center for Biological Diversity added $5,000 to the reward for information leading to a conviction or fine in the latest illegal killing of #4-11, an endangered Whooping Crane in Indiana.

“It’s a sad injustice to all of us that someone would gun down this beautiful, endangered bird,” said Collette Adkins, an attorney and biologist with the Center. “This shooting reminds us that Whooping Cranes still face many threats to their survival and recovery.”

“We’re adding to this reward because Whooping Cranes are a critical part of America’s heritage, and we shouldn’t let a few killers deny future generations their opportunity to see these animals in the wild,” Adkins said.

Since then, others have also stepped forward to donate, bringing the reward to $15,600.

Indiana Conservation Officers have partnered with Indiana Turn in a Poacher (T.I.P.), Friends of Goose Pond, the International Crane Foundation and Operation Migration to offer a substantial reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for killing female Whooping Crane #4-11 in Greene County, Indiana in early January.

On January 3, 2017 an International Crane Foundation volunteer found the crane near Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. It is thought she was killed with a high powered rifle but her remains were sent to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon for further testing.

The following conservation organizations have come together to offer the $10,000 reward:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – $2,500

Friends of Goose Pond’s board members – $2,500

The International Crane Foundation – $1,000

Indiana Turn in a Poacher (T.I.P.) – $500

Operation Migration – $3,500

“Reintroducing an endangered species takes money, hard work, luck and expertise. I was privileged to fly alongside #4-11 and to help teach her to migrate. She survived on her own and made five trips south in the fall and back north in the spring. She found a mate and even produced a chick. Then to have someone waste all that time, effort and such a beautiful bird for nothing more that the pleasure of the kill is a selfish, wasteful tragedy,” said Operation Migration’s Joe Duff.

Indiana Conservation Officers are collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate this crime.

If you have information about this case please contact the Indiana Conservation Officer Dispatch at 812-837-9536.

Whooping Crane No. 4-11 found dead January 5, 2017 along Indiana 67 in Greene County Indiana. Photo by Indiana DNR

January 2017: Female No. 4-11, shot and killed

Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials reported that the remains of No. 4-11, a 5-year old female Whooping Crane of the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP), were found January 5, 2017 in a field along Indiana 67 near the Goose Pond State Fish and Wildlife Area. State officials say preliminary evidence suggests the crane was shot during the New Year’s Day weekend. In February 2014 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) Whooping Crane No.35-09 was shot and killed in the same area as No. 4-11. At this time it is not known whether the two poachings are related.

No. 4-11 with her colt W3-16. Photo by Hillary Thompson

Female No. 4-11 successfully hatched her first chick, W3-16, on May 3, 2016 and proved herself to be a good parent when she continued to raise the colt alone after the unexpected death of her mate on their nesting grounds. She and W3-16 were seen during a July 15 aerial survey, but the colt was not seen on July 27 and later was presumed dead.

After leaving Wisconsin, 4-11 migrated to her wintering area at the Goose Pond FWA in mid-December. Goose Pond is now considered a critical wintering area for this eastern population of reintroduced Whooping Cranes, and due to the high concentration of Whoopers found there, 4-11 would likely have re-paired in preparation for the upcoming breeding season.

This latest death brings to a total of FIVE cranes shot and killed by poachers in Indiana since 2009:
2017: No. 4-11, Greene Co., IN
2014: No. 35-09, Greene Co., IN
2012: No. 27-08, Knox Co., IN
2011: No. 6-05, Jackson Co., IN
2009: No. 17-02 Vermillion Co., IN

Anyone with any information about the poaching is asked to please contact the Indiana Conservation Officer Dispatch at 812-837-9536.In addition to the Endangered Species Act, Whooping Cranes are protected by state laws and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Photo of No.35-09 as a colt. Photo by Marianne Wellington/Journey North

During the Fall/Winter 2013-2014 biologists replaced both non-functioning transmitters on female No.35-09. She was thought to be with a group of Whooping Cranes reported in Rutherford County, Tennessee on January 24, 2014 and in a group of seven reported in Franklin County, TN on January 29,2014. Then, during an aerial survey flight on February 12, 2014, her signal was picked up along the White River, south of Lyons in Greene County, Indiana. When no visual confirmation of No. 35-09 was possible, officials used the electronic signal emitted by a tag that had been previously placed around her neck to eventually locate where her remains had been hidden. Her carcass was collected from that location on February 19, 2014.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources TIP Advisory Board announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

January 2012: Male No. 27-08, shot and killed

Whooping Crane No. 27-08 was shot and killed in early January 2012 in Knox County, Indiana. In May 2012 charges were brought against Jason R. McCarter, 21 of Wheatland and John C. Burke, 23 of Monroe City, Illinois after officials received information in mid-January that a Whooping Crane had been spotlighted at night then shot and killed with a high-powered rifle. Suspects were identified during a joint investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, wildlife biologists and private individuals.

Jason McCarter filed a guilty plea agreement for violating the Migratory Bird Act by taking or killing a migratory bird, thus avoiding a criminal trial. The plea agreement included 3 years probation during which he could not hunt, possess or use a firearm or alcohol. In addition to 120 hours of community service to be served at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area he had to pay a $5,000 fine to the International Crane Foundation.

December 2011: Male No. 6-05, shot and killed

Whooping Crane male No. 6-05 (or #506) and seven 2009 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) juveniles spent several days in Jefferson Co., Kentucky before moving on to Adair Co., KY on February 12 or 13, 2011. They stayed there through February 28. In Fall 2011 No. 6-05 migrated with DAR female #37-09 to Jackson Co., IN where he was later killed. His carcass was found on December 30 by a local photographer monitoring the cranes near the Muscatatuck River basin about 40 miles north of Louisville, KY. X-rays showed a fatal gunshot wound caused the bird’s death. A reward was offered for any information leading to prosecution of the shooter of the federally endangered bird.

Late November 2009: Female No. 17-02, shot and killed

On Saturday, November 28, 2009 Whooping Crane, female No. 17-02 (#217) and her mate, No. 11-02 were observed together at one of their previously used stopovers in Vermillion Co., Indiana by Eva Szyszkoski, International Crane Foundation (ICF) Tracking Field Manager. It is thought No.17-02 was killed soon after this sighting because on Tuesday, December 1 ICF tracking intern Jess Thompson found her carcass. A victim of senseless joy-killing by poachers.

Her death was especially devastating to the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes reintroduction program as she was the seven-year old mother of “Wild-1,” the first wild-hatched Whooping Crane to survive and fledge to migrate. She and her mate nested during each of the past 5 springs on Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. They hatched two chicks and fledged one (No. W1-06) in 2006, and they hatched one chick in 2009. The pair was known as the “first family” of the new Eastern flock, with No. 17-02 considered the “matriarch” of the program. Her death was a major loss for the reintroduction considering there were approximately 100 cranes in the eastern population at that time.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents conducted a joint investigation into the incident with a citizen tip leading to the arrest of the poachers. Wade Bennett of Cayuga, Indiana pled guilty and was sentenced on March 30, 2011, for his involvement in the shooting of Whooping Crane No. 17-02 in Vermillion County, Indiana. Unfortunately, Bennett and the juvenile received the bare minimum in sentencing – $1.00 fine, one year probation and minor additional fees. The sentence in no way reflected the enormous amount of time, energy and expense invested by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration and other organizations needed to raise a single Whooping Crane to migration age.

According to a source at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the Mississippi Flyway Council met in late August where they voted on and submitted recommendations to USFWS regarding frameworks for the 2017-18 hunting seasons and bag limits, based on this year’s population and harvest data. The recommendations also included a request for operational status of Tennessee’s Sandhill Crane hunting season (now entering its fourth year “experimental” season). The Service Regulation Committee considers the Flyways recommendations and will publish a set of proposed frameworks in the Federal Register. At that time, the USFWS will accept public comment on the proposed frameworks. Shortly after the comment period, they will make any necessary adjustments to the frameworks and then finalize them. These become the overall set of “rules” under which each state can establish their hunting seasons.

The deadline for your comments to TWRA is November 15, 2016.

The following is the TWRA press release:

“The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is soliciting comments for its 2017-18 waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting regulations, including sandhill cranes. This is an opportunity for the public to provide ideas and share concerns about hunting regulations with TWRA staff. The comment period is open Oct. 15-Nov. 15, 2016.

Due to recent changes in the timing of the federal regulation process, waterfowl and other migratory game bird hunting seasons are now proposed to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission at its January meeting and voted upon at its February meeting.

Public comments will be considered by TWRA’s Wildlife Division staff and may be presented as proposals for regulation changes. Comments may be submitted by mail to: 2017-18 Hunting Season Comments, TWRA, Wildlife and Forestry Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204 or emailed to twra.comment@tn.gov. Please include “Waterfowl Season Comments” on the subject line of emailed submissions.”

Additional information: The number of permits issued for 2017-2018 TN hunting season remains the same as the 2015-2016 season, 400 permits – 3 cranes per permit. However, the 2016-2017 season has been extended from 28 days to 53 days. The hunt zone also remains in southeastern Tennessee – South of Interstate 40 and east of State Highway 56. Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge is within this zone. The hunt will be stopped only for the weekend of the annual Sandhill Crane Festival. With the issuance of the new rules there is the distinct possibility that the hunt will be extended statewide, with an increase in both the number of permits issued and the number of cranes allowed to be killed.

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is a group of non-profit organizations and government and state agencies formed to restore a migratory population of Whooping Cranes to eastern North America. WCEP is just one element of a diverse strategy to save Whooping Cranes from extinction.

On January 22, 2016, USFWS announced recommendations modifying WCEP’s methods for Whooping Crane rearing and release. While the program was successful in building the number of migrating Whooping Cranes in the eastern U.S., very few of the cranes were successfully breeding. Therefore, USFWS made the decision to shift the focus from rearing chicks “artificially” with costumed handlers, to early contact and learning with adult Whooping Cranes.

Recently the International Crane Foundation (ICF) answered questions about these changes and what they mean for Whooping Cranes and our investment in the species and the International Cane Foundation. Following is a list of the questions covered: